Endless Intrigue and Cunningness
I am writing this review during the dramas half point and I must say it started low, but it has certainly increased in value to a drama I will endlessly recommend! If you’re struggling with the first few episodes just pull through it will likely go down depending on the end as one of my favorites of the year! This drama really has a perfectly fitting name so if you want a drama where both Zhang Linghe and Bai Lu play characters slightly different than the usual roles they play, both showcasing how talented they are. Also the entire casting did a spendid job in my opinion playing their respective roles. As of episode 20 this drama is definitely meeting all my expectations that I have been patiently waiting for since April when I longingly awaited its release only for it to be held back at the last minute. I will update this at the end when I have completed it to let you all know if it held up until the end!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Consistent plot, characterisation
First time writing a review. Been looking forward to SOKP since TTEOTM ended. Was hooked from episode 1 onwards. Very interesting plot and characters. Most importantly, consistent plot all the way from episode 1 to episode 38, and consistent characters. Some dramas start off strong but lose steam halfway through, but not this drama.Let's start with FL Jiang Xuening, acted by Bai Lu. With her second chance in life, she hopes to amend her mistakes. She is smart and acts quite logically. She will fight for herself. I feel the acting is also good. Not sure what else to add.
Xie Wei, acted by Zhang Linghe. I was worried about ZLH acting in SOKP as XW due to MJTY's GZY, but turns out I was wrong. He acted well in this drama. I love how he portrays his crazy side, and on the flip of a switch, shows his gentle face. I also love this character, such a multi-faceted character. He is a schemer, kind of morally gray. In some episodes, he is crazy, enough to make me feel weird sometimes. This type of character adds life to a drama. He also stays true to his character.
Zhang Zhe also stays true to his character.
Yan Lin, acted by Zhou Jun Wei. He's like a puppy. Glad he's accepting of who Xuening loves, and accepts that he's not the one Xuening love.
The side characters in SOKP are also great. For example, the princess, Xuehui, Yan Lin's father, Xuening's father. Man, even Xue Shu, stays true to her character right till the very end.
Comes with a satisfying ending! Not a rushed ending. Not a 1 minute slapped ending. Not some sort of ending placed at a special episode. An actual satisfying ending to tie the ends of everything, and doesn't break immersion! I don't know why, but this is quite rare nowadays in cdrama land.
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Story of Kunning Palace: A Dark, Slow-Burn Masterpiece of Redemption and Power
Introduction: A Long-Awaited Dive Into Darkness and DesireFor months, Story of Kunning Palace was bookmarked on my “must-watch” list like a shadow I couldn’t shake. I wanted to see how a story about power, regret, and second chances could unfold in a world dripping with palace politics and moral complexity. Finally, I gave it the time it deserved — and I was utterly consumed. 🔥
This isn’t just a drama; it’s a psychological exploration of ambition’s cost and the scars we carry when we try to rewrite the past. 🧠💔
"Sometimes the past isn’t just a story — it’s a shadow that won’t let go."
➡ The Heart of the Drama: Jiang Xue Ning’s Complex Redemption
"Power built on broken hearts is a throne no one can truly sit upon." 👑💔
Flawed but deeply captivating: Jiang Xue Ning isn’t your typical innocent heroine. She is full of contradictions — once selfish, cold, and cunning, now weighed down by the consequences of her past mistakes and haunted by the pain she caused. Her ambition built empires but also broke hearts, and now those broken pieces hurt her more than any weapon could.
Redemption marked by scars: Her second chance isn’t a fresh start but a tough and honest struggle. Inside herself, the ruthless schemer fights with the part of her that wants love, forgiveness, and real connection. She carries a heavy guilt that almost overwhelms her, but beneath that pain, there is a fragile hope — that even a damaged heart can learn to heal and become whole again.
Slow, painful, and meaningful growth: Ning’er’s journey is about slowly letting go of pride, regret, fear, and holding on to strong determination. Every step forward is a fight and sometimes she falls back because of who she is. It’s a powerful mix of light and darkness, inviting us to not only watch her change but to feel it to root for a woman desperate to change her fate, even as her past pulls her back into palace intrigue and betrayal.
➡ Xie Wei: The Troubled Mind Behind the Vengeful Mask
"Vengeance is the echo of a childhood left unspoken." 🖤⚔️
Xie Wei is full of contradictions — a man whose soul is both a battlefield and a fortress. What makes him so interesting:
A mind shaped by pain: Every careful plan and ruthless move comes from the wounds of abandonment and betrayal. His childhood scars are invisible but they guide every decision, making him a master strategist who trusts no one but himself.
Loyalty as strong as steel: Under his cold surface is a deep loyalty only shown to a few — especially Ning’er, the one person who stirs emotions inside him.
Feelings hidden away: Xie Wei covers his emotions with sarcasm and sharp words — a shield to protect a man scared of showing weakness.
"The darkest wounds shape the fiercest hearts — love is the only light strong enough to reach them."
Obsession as a way to save himself: His love for Ning’er isn’t just passion; it’s a desperate hope that even the darkest people can find salvation through connection.
A balance between control and chaos: Watching Xie Wei is like seeing a man fight to keep his inner chaos in check, with sudden bursts of rage and tenderness. He is as dangerous as he is broken, as cruel as he is lovable.
Zhang Ling He plays this complex character with great intensity, making Xie Wei a magnetic presence you can’t look away from, the ultimate bad boy with a soul longing to be understood.🎭✨
➡ The Men Around Her: Mirrors of Morality and Desire
Zhang Zhe — The Righteous Idealist:
"Integrity in a world of lies is both a shield and a lonely burden." ⚖️
Zhang Zhe stands firm on his principles, loyal and brave even when the odds are against him. Though sometimes underdeveloped, his steadfast morality contrasts sharply with the darker players, embodying tragic love lost and second chances. 💔
Wang Xing Yue captures his noble spirit perfectly, showing a man who fights for justice in a world built on deceit.
Yan Lin — The Loyal Warrior:
Zhou Jun Wei’s free-spirited general adds energy and heart. His fierce loyalty and sincerity make him a fan favorite, a true “green flag” in the tangled web of palace intrigue. 🔥
"Loyalty without limits burns brightest when the stakes are highest."
Each man reflects different facets of Ning’er’s psyche and emotional needs — security, admiration, and passionate connection. 🔄❤️
➡Palace Intrigues and Schemes: Tension That Hooks You
Well-crafted politics: The palace is a chessboard, and Ning’er and Xie Wei are master players — manipulating, betraying, and outsmarting foes with calculated ruthlessness. ♟️👑
Pacing and suspense: Twists come fast enough to keep you hooked without feeling overwhelming. Even if some villains are underwritten, the stakes feel real because of the leads’ compelling power play.
A dark, addictive atmosphere: The drama balances intense scheming with emotional vulnerability, creating a vibe that’s both thrilling and deeply human.
➡Romance That Simmers and Explodes
Slow burn done right: The romance isn’t rushed; it simmers with chemistry and tension before igniting into steamy, unforgettable moments. 💞
No petty love triangles: Each love interest has space to breathe and earn their place, avoiding clichéd misunderstandings. The emotional arcs feel earned and genuine.
Xie Wei & Ning’er — A Match Forged in Fire: Their connection is magnetic and raw — two broken souls who understand and challenge each other, making their love story one of the year’s most satisfying. ❤️🔥
➡The Supporting Cast & Relationships: More Than Just Background Noise
Rich, diverse characters: From loyal friends to scheming rivals, each supporting role adds texture and depth. Female friendships and alliances break the mold of typical palace dramas, bringing fresh dynamics to the story.
Emotional bonds: The drama invests in relationships beyond romance — friendships, family ties, and loyalty are portrayed with nuance and heart.
➡Production Notes: Strengths and Quirks
Acting: Bai Lu and Zhang Ling He deliver powerhouse performances that carry the drama’s emotional weight. Wang Xing Yue and Zhou Jun Wei also shine despite less screen time.
OST: The soundtrack is haunting and beautiful, perfectly matching the story’s tone and heightening key moments. 🎶
Costumes & Makeup: Solid and fitting, with subtle shifts reflecting character growth. Some critiques about overused filters and camera effects are fair, but don’t overshadow the storytelling.
Cinematography: Occasionally shaky with odd angles and excessive lighting, but it adds a raw energy that some viewers might find engaging.
➡Final Thoughts: Why You Should Watch
This drama is for those who see life in all its messy, beautiful complexity. It’s about second chances, deep regrets, and finding redemption amid ruthless ambition.
The characters are imperfect and real, and their slow-burning romance feels earned and meaningful. The palace politics aren’t just power plays—they’re emotional battles that pull you in.
You’ll root for a heroine rewriting her story and a hero who loves fiercely despite his scars. The ending balances justice with heart, leaving you thoughtful and satisfied.
If you want dark intrigue mixed with real emotion and sharp wit, Story of Kunning Palace should be at the top of your list.
"Broken porcelain can be mended with gold and become even more beautiful."
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Different cdrama with some great politics
Greetings!!I am writing review for this because i think this drama shows different side of chinese dramas and not just the typical romantic story i mist say it started low but the value is certainly increased even if you are struggling in first few just go through it till 3 or 4 then you will understand the whole thing.
This drama has the cast like the perfection for their each role Zhang Ling He and Bai Lu play the character slightly different this time but also showing their talents and it just remind me of Xianxia "Till the End of the Moon" where Luo YunXi and Bai Lu slayed their role and so in this Zhang Ling He and Bai Lu also slayed together and also Bai Lu's on-going drama "only for love" is also the great hit in modern romance.
The story showing some interesting politics also and that's what i love to see the more you watch the more you want to see the head strong Jiang Xue Ning who can do anything to become an empress, manipulated many people, betrayed and control them then died by killing herself in regret to exchange life for someone else and whereas Xie Wei who killed entire palace help of Yan Lin who is betrayed by Jiang Xue Ning as his lover and Zheng Zhe almost played important role of Xue Ning's lover and he has his seperate charm also his character play is great anyways not spoiling the second part of story enough for catching your intrest maybe and the most important part that it is not like the other show "My Journey to you" that drama's script was not very liking to me but this is just amazing you are drawn to this drama.
The OST: I would say that i didn't get to know all of the songs but those i have listed it feels straight to heart you can definitely feel the music like every person says you should feel yes that feel! you know what I mean...
Overall this is a very good drama with amazing costume and scenes also contains comedy with some romance i enjoyed watching it and a little disclosure, THIS DRAMA WON THE “HALL OF HONOUR” AT IQIYI SCREAM NIGHT 2023
Thankyou ^^
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A Tale of Dark Obsession vs Courage and Redemption
This series by mutual agreement is proving to be the most captivating of all we are currently watching. And there are at least 5 serious contenders at the moment. So if period/costume series are your genre......do not miss it. I promise you will adore it.It is primarily about one woman named Jiang Xuening (played by Bai Lu) who had an overwhelming and insatiable lust for power. Her obsession became her downfall as it ended up destroying her and all of those who had trusted her. She was so focused on her quest to become the next Empress, that she scarcely noticed the trail of destruction behind her. She had but one goal…and whatever it cost, that she was willing to do. But once she had achieved the position she had sought...there was little joy. Her ruthlessness had gained her few allies and multiple enemies.
But of those who had once cared for her...there was one man, a very disillusioned man named Zhang Zhe
(played by Wang Xingyue) who because of her ...now awaited his death in prison.
Still she carried on...until the palace, roiled by unrest, became her prison too.
With the loss of her freedom, she realizes she has only one card left to play. So she strikes a deal with Xie Wei (Zhang Ling) to save Zhang Zhe from prison. If he will agree..she will offer her own life as collateral. When he agrees... she took her life.
But by a strange twist of events…she awakens later in her family home… only as her much younger self. After the shock wears off, she realizes she has been given a second chance at life. This time she purposes she WILL make all the right choices.
So with the benefit of her past as her guide…she attempts to change her future and her fate. This is her story of redemption.
It is played by a stellar cast:
*Bai Lu as Jiang Xuening is utterly captivating...acting dual parts flawlessly.
A role this complicated and the focus of so many scenes required a especially skillful actress, and wow, is she ever the one!
*Zhang Ling as Xie Wei is a very complex character....shaded by both light and shadow.
We loved him in My Journey to You, but this more challenging role highlights the range of his talent.
He is leaving it all on the table in this one, after this..he said he hopes to do a modern series as this one took a toll on him and I believe it. He is so sinister at times…that the nape of my neck tingles, yet he can wordlessly look at her with such care..that my toes curl. He conveys an element of mystery (never giving the game away) and a masterful presence that suits the dangerous setting of the court. The scriptwriter deserves props for giving him such a wonderful role but... in my view ...he is outperforming expectations. By far, he is the most fascinating male lead in any series that I have seen in a while. I simply cannot wait for the fireworks between them...one hug was mesmerizing. He understands her, because he is her match.
*Wang Xingyue as Zhang Zhe is also riveting. I don’t typically fall for the SL and I did not expect that anyone could compete with Zhang Ling in this one. Yet somehow….Wang Xingue manages to do just that. His face is fascinating. And because the chemistry between him and Bai Lu simmers every time they meet that also seems tantalizing. Lol.
But although he is an upright and honorable man, it doesn't appear that he is right for her. Even if he loved her..it is doubtful he could understand her. They are vastly different in every conceivable way.
Both men are beautifully defined with strengths and weaknesses, but neither are perfect.
They are complicated and mysterious men which makes them oh.... so.... fascinating to watch! Lol.
So here is your setting for the story…and as always I will be back with an update.
Enjoy..this one is gonna be one to rave about!
@Final: This series was epic to the end. The wrap up was perfect, I couldn't fault one thing. I even loved the brief modern scene with the writer where she opens the door and there he is. Perfect tiny tidbit. Likewise...I loved the special episode they included at the end and the behind the scenes were fun as well.
It is clear that this entire cast enjoyed each other and that bonding on set..contributed to the success of this project. Congratulations to everyone involved in this beautiful drama, thank you for all the thrills, the laughter and the tears..it was a wonderful experience. I am happy to recommend this series to you. It will immediately go in my fave rewatch list.
Happy Watching!
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The Story of Mistakes, Regrets and Revenge.
🍁 OVERVIEW OF PLOT:-Jiang Xue Ning(Bai Lu), the second and legitimate daughter of Jiang Family, grew up in countryside but a very ambitious and greedy person. She wanted to become Empress & gain power to make everyone bow down to her. To fulfill her ambition, she did everything regardless of right and wrong, used many people who cared for her, and destroyed many lives. But, the karma hits hard....not so long after, her own people, Xie Wei and Yan Lin and many others, turned against her, raised a rebellion and massacred the whole Royal Family. She regretted her own deeds and finally suicide to make up for her deeds.
After her suicide, she woke up in her past, in her 18 years old body with the memories of her all above mentioned experiences. It's like... life gave her a second chance with a reincarnation and all the above-mentioned things happened in a dream. After waking up, she intends to become a good person and make up for all those mistakes and regrets to change the horrific fate of her and her loved ones.
This is an interesting and kinda new plot to me....
🍁MAIN CHARACTERS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS:-
🌿Jiang Xue Ning (Bai Lu) : She was ambitious, greedy and arrogant at first. But after experiencing a lot in life she tried to change her temperament and wanted to become a good person. I won't say she is very kind-hearted but yes.... she learned to repay the gratitude with kindness. She is not perfect but ready to improve. She had guilt for her wrongdoings. A perfectly imperfect person.
As for her romantic relationship.... In her previous life she married Shen Jie, but fell for Zhang Zhe, had a relationship with Yan Lin and also tried to seduce Xie Wei. It sounds absurd, right....In her current life, she first fell for Zhang Zhe because of her past experiences. She friend-zoned Yan Lin and being loyal to him as a friend but has no feelings for Shen Jie. She finally fell in love with Xie Wei, the most suitable person to her.
🌿Xie Wei (Zhang Ling He) : He used to be a kind-hearted, smart and straightforward person, but life didn't do justice to him.... He was abandoned by his own father for personal gains and left to die when he was just a seven-year-old child, in the hands of rebels. He turned into a very cunning and ruthless person who have some obsessions and always hide his real emotions & feelings but has a little bit of warmness in his heart. He never let his guards down to anyone and loyal to ones who loved him or whom he loved. He returned to capital just to take his revenge.
For his romantic relationship.... it seems he was in love with Xuening in her previous life. In current life, he fell in love with her again and wanted her to keep safe but also wary of her sometimes.
🌿Zhang Zhe (Wang Xing Yue) : The most righteous, kind, familial, loyal and perfect person in the whole drama. He comes from a poor background yet he never bends to injustice and wrong. He is smart and straightforward but unbending to situations. Because of this personality, he got himself in unnecessary troubles many times....
He developed feeling for Xuening in her past life and fell for her in this life too.
🌿Yan Lin (Zhou Jun Wei) : He is free-spirited, smart, loving, loyal and sometimes a reckless person. He's a brave general as well as a great friend.
He loved Xuening with his whole heart in her previous as well as in current life.
I liked many characters here and almost every character served some purpose in the drama. They are important to plot progression. Xiaobao and You Fangyin are the only ones who didn't get an ending they truly deserved.
🍁ACTING AND CHEMISTRY:
Main Leads and the whole other cast did a beautiful job with their characters. Zhang Ling He has really outdone himself here. This drama is purely and perfectly fall under category of a Slow-Burn Romance. Bai Lu as Xuening.... has great chemistry with all the three Male leads. They have enough sweet and lovely moments. Xuening has friendly chemistry with Yan Lin.... cat-and-mouse type at first then romantic chemistry with Xie Wei.... and guilty-and-wronged with some love chemistry with Zhang Zhe.
🍁OSTS AND COSTUMES:
OSTs are so satisfying and beautiful specially the ending theme.... I can't help myself but playing it again and again. Costumes are decent but there is a room for improvement.
🍁ENDING AND RECOMMENDATION:
Don't worry... it's a happy ending!
I'll definitely recommend this drama to everyone. It has an interesting plot and developed characters with a lot of politics and slow-burn romance. This is a story of mistakes, regrets and repayment for Xuening.... For Xie Wei, this is a story of injustice, revenge and love....
GIVE IT A SHOT WITHOUT ANY OTHER THOUGHT.
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Well written and satisfying drama
Such a well written and satisfying drama....Truly loved it!!The level of acting is phenomenal, pacing is beautiful and the best part for me is that it doesn't has infinite number of evil character plus the one who are evil are handled flawlessly by our leads which makes me enjoy the drama much more, as it shows that writer focus on content more than filling it will unnecessary negative schemes and plots.
The chemistry between BaiLu + Zhang Ling He is sizzling....it has slow start but its gripping till the end. It was worth my time and i feel satisfied with the end
The best part is that it has a HE as i usually avoid sad ending dramas plus it has such breathtaking kisses & it was done beautifully❤️ All in all its a 10/10 for me:)
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This drama is literally one of the best drama this year.
I will definitely recommend this drama to my friends and family. The story is epic. The casting is PERFECT. Bai Lu and Zhang Ling He deserves more than just a praise and I demand another drama casting them as Main Leads.Knowing that I already finished watching the episodes, I'm going crazyyyy. Hands up to the director, the casts, the DRAMAAAAA ...
I will definitely recommend this drama to my friends and family. The story is epic. The casting is PERFECT. Bai Lu and Zhang Ling He deserves more than just a praise and I demand another drama casting them as Main Leads.
Knowing that I already finished watching the episodes, I'm going crazyyyy. Hands up to the director, the casts, the DRAMAAAAA ...
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heart-warming in more ways than one
I am filled with emotions after just finishing the drama so this might contain spoilers.This is my most highly-anticipated drama and it did NOT disappoint! I might have a few issues but they're mostly on the technical side. Everything about this drama will invoke different sets of feelings from viewers (yes even the technical stuff ie the director's lighting choices, is a hot topic in the comments section lol).
Story: Rebirth/Reincarnation trope isn't anything new but once perfectly executed, it can be a gem on its own and Story of Kunning Palace is just that. The screenwriter/s were able to adapt the novel with full respect to the source material while also keeping the audience in mind. It's very compelling and would keep the audience guessing. Each side story tugs at the viewer's heartstrings making every character or scene memorable. The ending is also very satisfactory, every character was addressed and the main leads were given their deserved spotlight despite their slow burn romance.
Acting/Casting: I read the novel with the intention of only knowing the important bits about the characters. I wanted the drama to handle the rest as I've my own bad experiences from reading the novel before the drama aired. (Note: I still haven't finished the drama so some of my understandings about the characters might be off or lacking.) I personally think the cast especially BL and ZLH did a splendid job understanding and acting out Jiang Xuening and Xie Wei. Due to their spot on acting that the viewers are drawn to their story. The side character actors are also spot on. Everyone brought their A game to this drama and that's what elevated SOKP to its heights. ZLH is honestly a revelation here.
Music: The OSTs are amazing. I gave a 9.5 due to the editing. I think it could've been better. But the songs themselves are perfect for this drama. Bai Lu's OST is a personal favorite. I'll for sure have a sweet smile every time I'll hear it in the future since the scenes are forever etched in my memory plus her sweet voice.
Rewatch Value: I was already itching to rewatch as soon as I finished it. It's that good.
Story of Kunning Palace is a masterful storytelling about second chances, maturity, love, friendship, family, politics, and mental struggles. It makes you think and feel. This drama now has a special place in my heart.
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The chemistry between all the characters is amazing.
If you love angst and "fix-it" type of costume dramas then this is the show for you. I really liked the plot and how they didn't make her personality drastically change from what it was during her original timeline. The only thing that really changed was her realizing how fortunate she was and how many people in her life she had who truly cared about her. I liked that. I also liked how they didn't make the ML's personality do a 180 just because he fell in love and I liked her relationship with ZZ and YL in the second life. I kind of wish there was a part 2 where we could see the original timeline more but this was enjoyable. Lastly, I really liked how the villains were written especially XS who I loved to hate. She was very smart and calculative and didn't just sit around waiting for her doom. I can appreciate that. Although I was disappointed that her death was so light. As for FY...I wish they had shown JXN's grief more over her death. In the parts of the novel I read, she was truly devastated. All in all, this is a great drama and I 100% recommend watching it.Although, slight warning, the ML is sometimes very aggressive and forceful so if that's not your thing or it makes you too uncomfortable, you might not enjoy the drama as much.
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1When Love Is a Game of Go, the Couple That Schemes Together, Stays Together
Redemption and vengeance meet in this deliciously wicked, sinfully seductive and electric love story between two morally ambiguous characters who come together to create the most formidable power couple of 2023.Jiang Xue Ning is an evil empress who has schemed her way to the top and destroyed people for her ambitions, only to meet her downfall at the hands of a ruthless usurper who brings her to her death.
In an interesting turn of events, she gets to go back in time, to fix her wrongs, save the two men who were ruined because of her love and hopefully stop the bloodthirsty rebel and his insidious plans.
However, fate cannot always be changed and sometimes the wrong answer is the right one all along. The Story of Kunning Palace is a fast-paced thrilling ride from beginning to end and comes with its share of pros and cons. Let’s get into it.
✔️The sexiest anti-hero of the year award goes to Xie Wei
He chokes. He kills. He plots but most of all, he knows how to kiss his lady love until she sees stars. Xie Wei is an absolute menace. As vicious and ruthless in his planning as he is petty when it comes to love. He is not afraid to get his hands bloody and use everyone and their mamas if it serves his purpose. Forty steps ahead of his enemies and always one with the backup plan, he is the ultimate edge lord. However, all his plans and strategies come to a stop when it comes to one woman: His Ning-er.
Zhang Ling He did a great job giving life to a character that is both terrifying and vulnerable. A man on a path of vengeance even as a part of him remains frozen with his robbed childhood. He is a person of many flavors as he goes from being the most intelligent and devilish man in the room, to a petulant, almost childish boy in love. He is both dangerous and endearing, villainous and heroic, charismatic and insecure, damaged and wholesome and the ultimate bad guy you can’t help but root for.
✔️The powerful heroine who brings the man to his knees.
Jiang Xue Ning is one of the best female leads out there. She is smart, intelligent and practical even as she has a soft heart. She can be as vicious as the best of men and has a penchant for paying back her enemies. She is a woman who never loses sight of her goal and always stays true to herself. She can be soft when the time calls for it and tough as nails when she needs to be. I think this is Bai Lu’s best role yet and she executed some really great scenes with elegance, grace and a lot of heart.
✔️Steamiest C-drama romance to end all romances
I think this is one of the most rewarding love stories I have seen lately. The two are equally matched in every way and understand each other in a way that nobody can. Xie Wei’s absolute mad, crazy, obsessive love for Ning-er is exhilarating to watch. He is unapologetic, fearless and unhinged when it comes to his need for her. She is the person who shares the darkness in his soul and the only woman who can keep up with his brilliant mind.
For her, he is the man who supports her through thick and thin, the only one who doesn’t handle her with kid gloves, the one person she can break down in front of, be herself with and the man who revels in her wildness as much as she does. Their chemistry is unmatched and their love is believable. There’s no question from the first episode that the two are destined for each other and the angst, obstacles and sexual tension just explodes into the most satisfying, passionate romance on-screen that is complimented with some truly sensual kisses.
✔️Friendship, loyalty, camaraderie and lovable side characters
One of the things I loved about this drama was that they were able to create meaningful relationships for both the main leads that seemed authentic. The male lead’s friends and people who love him unconditionally have their reasons for doing so and aren’t lackeys that exist just for the sake of it. Similarly, Ning-er has strong female friendships that are such a breath of fresh air to watch amidst watching palace women mostly fighting each other over a man.
As such, the drama gives birth to some really great characters like the hilarious fake Dingfei, and Yan Lin who has to be the greenest flag on this earth and the only time an FL’s potential love interest wasn’t annoying.
✔️Action scenes + Dialogues + Music + Comedy
The show has some great action scenes that were especially kind to Yan Lin. The dialogues for both Xie Wei and Ning-er were excellent and captured the intensity of their feelings beautifully. I particularly love the instrumental on this and enjoyed the little bits of comedy that is sprinkled all over the show.
So, overall, the drama comes with a lot of great things. Unfortunately, it also has its flaws, for example:
❌Weak antagonists + false sense of danger
Villains in this story are incredibly weak, overshadowed by the protagonists and make dumb decisions. So, the stakes are never really high because you know Xie Wei and Ning-er will somehow always come on top. The only time the good guys actually suffer a major loss is because of their own lapse of judgment which results in an extremely unnecessary and pointless tragedy. It hardly makes an impact and the protagonists remain overpowered throughout.
❌The boring middle arc + Annoying 2nd Male Lead aka Zhang Zhe the Turnip
A big part of the female lead’s redemption arc right from the first episode is the debt she owes to Zhang Zhe - a man she bargains her own life for. So, it’s unavoidable that the show would devote a lot of screen time to this character. Unfortunately, Zhang Zhe is a poorly written, one dimensional character who is so self-righteous, holier than thou and the unwanted paragon of virtue that not only is he boring to watch, he is flat-out irritating. As a result, his love arc with the FL is the most boring part of the entire drama.
❌Petty politics + low production value
I think others have also pointed out that the production value on the show is not the greatest with some truly terrible CGI. While I did enjoy some beautiful shots, I wasn’t happy about the unflattering close-ups and weird angles of characters that made intense scenes look a little comical. Fortunately, they are easy to ignore.
Story-wise, I think the strongest aspect of the drama is the slow burn love story and while it’s exciting to see Xie Wei and Ning-er plot and scheme and brilliantly execute their strategies, considering the antagonists are so one-note and the palace politics are quite petty and simplistic, I won’t lie and say that the drama comes with an impactful plot or masterful writing. Instead, it’s actually a super basic plot with a lot of tropes that’s done so well that it’s enjoyable.
✅Overall, the drama is mad fun to watch and its flaws are nearly not enough to weigh it down. It almost feels like the younger sister of The Rise Of Phoenixes with diabolical characters in love, except it comes with an ending that’s easy on the heart.
Definitely, Jeana approved.
8.5/10
Jiang Xue Ning, run away then. Run to the ends of the world but I am telling you, no matter where you run, I’ll find you.
-Xie Wei
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What a good series, and honestly, Zhang Ling He!
I have to admit I had a little trouble following the story at first, but that's me. Once I got the characters down, I couldn't walk away. Despite some very unkind comments I have read, the ensemble cast gave wonderful performances and made me really like (or despise) the characters.The couples were endearing and believable - and the chemistry between Bai Lu and Zhang Ling He was sizzling hot!! (He would have electricity with a stone, I tell you!) The villains!! What superb acting - I despised them intensely; proof of the great job they did bringing their evil characters to life. The characters that people thought were weak or unimportant, really had their purpose - and it took some care and attention to realize that. Even the character of Xie Wei - he was so broken, so lonely, a product of his past longing for the love he desperately needed to heal.
I especially liked the time and attention to the final episode, and that bonus episode was just the icing on the cake!!! Loved that for the most part, they tied up the loose ends nicely - meting out justice and Karma, but wrapping up the characters' stories. I would have liked to have seen a little more of the end story of Xie Wei's two loyal aides and Xue Ding Fei. But I absolutely loved the lead couple's ending the best. The scene with Xie Wei and his kids was hilarious!
Now... why did I not go for it and give this a perfect 10? You Fang Yin & Lu Xian. They deserved so much more - and a little of the happiness that everyone else received. That broke my heart, especially for Lu Xian. Sorry, writer & director - that one cost you a perfect rating.
I will definitely be re-watching this, probably time and time again.
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